A look at Shikhar Dhawan being left out from the T20 World Cup India squad, even after being the highest run-scorer of IPL 2021 and why he deserved to be a part of the team
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has released the men’s Indian cricket team’s 15-member lineup for the upcoming ICC World T20. Faced with a selection problem ahead of the World Cup in 2021, the Chetan Sharma-led selection panel has left veteran opener Shikhar Dhawan and spinner Yuzvendra Chahal out of Team India’s star-studded team.
Shikhar Dhawan, a flamboyant opener for the Delhi Capitals, also captained a white ball special team in Sri Lanka. His fans and a lot of cricket enthusiasts thought that his spot is concrete fixed not only in the squad but in the 11. Shikhar Dhawan already is facing a lot of stress in his personal life as he just got divorced a couple of days back.
T20 World Cup India Squad And Team 2021: Shikhar Dhawan T20 Records, Runs And Stats
Shikhar Dhawan rose to prominence during an incredible run in the 2004 U-19 World Cup, in which he amassed 505 runs with three hundred. He did, however, take a long time to arrive in India.
Batting Career Summary
| Match | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | |
| Test | 34 | 58 | 1 | 2315 | 190 | 40.61 | 3458 | 66.95 | 7 |
| ODI | 145 | 142 | 8 | 6105 | 143 | 45.56 | 6509 | 93.79 | 17 |
| T20I | 67 | 66 | 3 | 1759 | 92 | 27.92 | 1392 | 126.36 | 0 |
| IPL | 184 | 183 | 24 | 5576 | 106 | 35.07 | 4379 | 127.34 | 2 |
Looking into such records it would be quite difficult for the selectors to overlook it. But I somehow feel BCCI is used to this? Neglecting Ambati Rayudu from the 2019 World Cup squad and now doing this with a veteran player clearly demotivates a player.
ICC has given a window to make changes in the lineup till the 10th of October. Shikhar will get a lot of chances in IPL’s second leg where he can prove his worth and can still be part of the team. He is currently the marquee tournament’s top scorer with a healthy 380 runs in 8 matches for Delhi Capitals.
Chetan Sharma has meanwhile justified leaving Dhawan out from the squad with him talking about how the player wasn’t fitting in the team’s plans for the marquee tournament. However, given his ability to provide a left hand-right hand dynamic at the top, ability to clear the fence with ease and the relatively batting friendly pitches we are bound to have, Dhawan more than deserved to go to UAE and Oman.
Also Read: Simon Katich Steps Down As RCB Head Coach Ahead Of IPL 2021 In UAE, Mike Hesson To Take Over